Nina Dobrev, the beloved Vampire Diaries star, is engaged to three-time Olympic gold medalist Shaun White. This power couple’s engagement, unfolding in the heart of New York City, has caught the attention of fans and friends alike. From their low-key beginnings to Shaun’s unforgettable proposal at the Golden Swan restaurant, it’s a story that blends romance, timing, and a bit of suspense.
The relationship between Dobrev and White has been building since 2019, when they first met at a Tony Robbins event. An unusual place for a budding romance, but for Dobrev and White, it set the stage for an adventure that now, five years later, culminates in their engagement. Their relationship became official in 2020, and soon, they were quarantining together during the pandemic—a moment of closeness that deepened their bond even further.
White’s proposal didn’t come easy, though. He had initially planned to pop the question on an African trip, but an unexpected twist came into play when Dobrev’s health took a dip. Then, as if fate was testing him, a previous attempt ended in a dirt-biking accident that left Nina injured. But Shaun, known for his persistence on the half-pipe, didn’t back down. On an ordinary October day, he finally orchestrated a surprise that would be anything but ordinary.
He arranged for Nina to believe she was heading to an intimate CFDA/Vogue dinner with fashion icon Anna Wintour. The ruse was set: a fake invitation sent by his publicist, a private room at the Golden Swan in New York, and, finally, an arch of white roses waiting upstairs. Dobrev, dressed in head-to-toe Chanel, walked up the stairs, expecting a fashion shoot and a meeting with Wintour. Instead, she found Shaun, a photographer, and a five-carat diamond ready to make this day unforgettable.
In her words, Nina was so stunned she “went into shock,” later telling Vogue that she had to replay Shaun’s heartfelt proposal in her mind because, in the moment, she “blacked out.” In true Nina fashion, she shared the news on social media with a touch of humor, captioning their engagement photos with “RIP boyfriend, hello fiancé.”
White’s journey with Dobrev has mirrored the highs and lows of his sports career. After retiring from snowboarding in 2022, he looked forward to a new chapter, openly telling PEOPLE in April that he was simply enjoying life with Nina, with “no pressure.” His love story with Nina has been as much about finding peace and simplicity as it’s been about moments like the grand proposal.
Their engagement announcement drew a chorus of congratulations from celebrities, with Vampire Diaries co-star Paul Wesley, Priyanka Chopra, and Sophie Turner among the first to send their love. Priyanka dropped a celebratory “Wohoo congratulations,” and Turner chimed in with a resounding “YESSSSSSSSSSSSS.”
White, now a record-holding snowboarder and former pro skateboarder, has traded the slopes and skateparks for a new kind of partnership. Nina, meanwhile, is still celebrated for her iconic role as Elena Gilbert on The Vampire Diaries—but now, her storyline has shifted toward real life, and it’s safe to say her fans couldn’t be happier.
Their engagement is a culmination of five years spent side by side, filled with both joy and challenges. It marks the beginning of a new chapter, one that’s likely to be every bit as adventurous as the lives they’ve led so far.
